Hundreds of platforms are battling for your attention, but let’s be honest—only a handful deliver real profits in traffic monetization. You’re probably glued to the usual suspects like Facebook and Instagram. Safe choices, right? But here’s the kicker: What if Twitter (X) is that hidden goldmine you’ve been skipping? A place where competition is slim, and audiences practically be for those “hot” offers?
We get it — you might think Twitter/X ads aren’t worth your time. Maybe you’ve brushed them off as irrelevant, or you’re already crushing it with organic traffic on other platforms.
Hold up — what if we told you there’s a real-life example of someone raking in $100k/year just from Twitter? No fluff, no hype. Today, we’re breaking down how a savvy publisher cracked the code and turned their Twitter page into a cash machine.
Curious how they pulled it off? Buckle up — we’re tearing back the curtain.
A bit about the Publisher
Meet Gabriel — a 28-year-old gaming geek from São Paulo, Brazil, who turned his passion for Dota 2 into a $100K-per-year income. How did he do it? With HilltopAds and a smart monetization strategy.
Gabriel has lived and breathed gaming since childhood. He spent hours streaming matches, analyzing gameplay, and even competing at a semi-pro level in Dota 2. In 2022, he launched a Twitter (now X) account to share tips, memes, and match breakdowns. His goal? To unite Brazilian gaming community. Over time, he realized his hobby could become a full-time income — especially after dedicating 6–8 hours daily to content creation.
Before partnering with HilltopAds, Gabriel faced constant hurdles:
- Unreliable merch sales: His Dota 2 meme t-shirts brought in just $100–200 a month.
- Brand rejections: Companies shut him down with, “You need more followers.”
- Burnout from freebies: Guides and templates for fans drained his time without ROI.
HilltopAds is one of the highest-paying ad networks for bloggers who want to monetize traffic from social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc) as well as for publishers who want to monetize their website traffic. You will get weekly payouts from $20, personal support, clean Adsense friendly ads. Register with HilltopAds and start monetizing traffic today!
The Turning Point
In November 2023, Gabriel discovered traffic monetization with ad networks. He signed up with HilltopAds and handpicked offers that resonated with his audience:
- Gaming software (PC optimization for streaming);
- Esports betting (partnering with a betting platform);
- Dota 2 NFT collectibles.
How Publisher Nailed the Integration
Value-first posts with Direct Links
Gabriel crafted posts where the value came first, and promotions felt like a natural add-on. For example:“How to set up your PC for Dota 2 streams? Grab my checklist → Pre-Landing page → [Direct Link].”
How it worked:
- The checklist included real, actionable tips (FPS optimization, mic setup), while the link inside led to a gamer-focused offer (e.g., PC optimization tools).
- Direct Links were niche-specific — gaming links only, no mixed-audience clutter.
Pro tip from a HilltopAds team:
“Ask your account manager for separate Direct Links per niche — one for gaming, another for betting, another for software. This keeps your traffic clean and boosts conversions. Promoting games? Your link should only point to gaming offers, not casinos or VPNs. Dive deeper in our Help Center.”
Relatable memes with CTAs
Gabriel used memes that spoke to his audience’s struggles and paired them with a clear call-to-action:
“Lost your Rank? Redeem yourself here → Pre-Landing page → [Direct Link].”
“Secret” pro-player tips
Gabriel ran a tweet series with hooks like:
“The ‘[Game Name]’ trick 99% of players don’t know → Pre-Landing page → [Direct Link].”
Why it worked:
- The link went to a pre-landing page with a video tutorial, ending with a soft CTA (e.g., signing up for a gaming platform).
- The pre-landing page built trust — users didn’t feel pushed straight to a sales pitch.
A/B Testing: How Gabriel Nailed the Perfect CTA
He tested 3 CTAs for the same esports betting offer:
- “Download” → 2.1% CTR
- “Play” → 3.4% CTR
- “Win” → 4.7% CTR
Why “Win” crushed it:
- Dota 2 players (and gamers in general) thrive on competition. “Win” tapped into their ambition.
- The button’s design mimicked in-game UI, blending seamlessly.
Pro tip from a HilltopAds manager:
James, KAM for publishers
“Test CTA designs, not just text. For gaming, use bold verbs like ‘Dominate’ or ‘Crush.’ For software, try ‘Optimize’ or ‘Boost.’ Never settle — even tiny tweaks can spike conversions.”
Native Banners Blended into Content
Gabriel embedded banners to feel like part of the post, not ads:
- After a tutorial: “Need tools for these settings? Here’s what I use → [300×250 banner].”
- At the end of a thread: “Want more hacks? Click → [728×90 banner].”
Pro tip from a HilltopAds manager:
James, KAM for publishers
“Match banners to your account’s vibe. An expert blog? Keep designs clean and minimalist. Always double-check that the offer behind the banner aligns with the post’s topic — no random redirects.”
Why It Worked?
Gabriel’s audience (gamers aged 18–35) hated ads but loved useful content. He disguised links as “bonuses,” while HilltopAds freed him from brand dependency. Despite a modest following, he earned steadily by promoting Dota 2-relevant offers.
Growing Publisher Audience
Gabriel boosted his reach using X’s (Twitter) ads, promoting key posts like match analyses and guides. He also runs a WordPress blog with deep dives into esports strategies, driving cross-platform traffic. Every blog post nudges readers to X for exclusive updates, creating a loop between platforms.
“I used to think monetization meant merch and donations. But HilltopAds showed me: if your audience trusts you, they’ll click — you just need the right incentive.”
— Gabriel
Statistics
In just one year, the publisher managed to grow his audience to 30,000 followers — a nice bonus on top of his main hustle. But here’s where it gets interesting: in the first two months of 2025 alone, his posts racked up 1.2 million views, with each piece of content averaging around 6,684 views.
And the audience isn’t just watching—they’re engaging. Every post pulls in roughly 114 likes and 11 reposts, while the 1.56% engagement rate per view (ER) proves his content is hitting the mark. No fluff, no filler — just pure, audience-approved value.
The Results
Within a year, Gabriel:
- Hit $100k/year in income;
- Grew his X following to 30k;
- Now plans to launch a YouTube channel — with a monetization strategy ready.
Key Takeaways
The key takeaway? Twitter (X) is a goldmine for traffic monetization, especially if you’re in gaming, esports, or betting. Think about it — less competition, audiences that actually engage, and ad formats that let you get creative. It’s basically a playground for testing and scaling.
But success doesn’t come from just posting links. Gabriel’s strategy — Direct Links tailored to specific niches, pre-landing pages to build trust, and A/B testing to optimize CTAs—shows that the devil is in the details.
So, if you’ve been sleeping on Twitter (X), it’s time to wake up. Whether you’re a gamer, a blogger, or just someone with a niche audience, the tools are there. All you need is the right strategy—and maybe a little help from a HilltopAds ad network.
Ready to turn your Twitter (X) into a cash machine? Start today. The next success story could be yours!
